CINCINNATI – Andy Dalton hoped to get his cast off Monday, but at a press conference Marvin Lewis stayed tight-lipped on the subject of Dalton's thumb.
Lewis replied "no comment" when asked about Dalton's cast, but the coach did confirm that AJ McCarron is preparing to start as quarterback against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday.
The Bengals quarterback went to the doctor for examination on his right thumb Monday.
“It depends how it feels and what the doctor says,” Dalton told Bengals.com's Geoff Hobson last week. “It’s hard to tell exactly how it feels. It’s getting better. That’s what they’re saying.”
Dalton has been out since he fractured his thumb against the Steelers in Week 14.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported last week that the Bengals don't expect Dalton to be able to play before the second round.
The Bengals will face off with the Steelers in the first round of the playoffs in Cincinnati at 8:15 p.m. Saturday.
